Bob
20th September 2005, 00:26
The BBC has launched an investigation into allegations that companies are spending thousands of pounds advertising their products covertly on the corporation's channels.
Reporters posing as businessmen won an agreement from the independent producers of a new BBC2 show, “The Hairy Bikers Cookbook”, to place a fictitious Mexican beer in return for free accommodation and travel for location shoots.
Now the programme may face an inquiry for breaching strict BBC rules.
(Note for KBers in NZ - the BBC is paid for by means of a TV licence fee. Part of it's charter states it cannot advertise products, although sometimes real products are shown as it would not make sense to hide them)
It is claimed that at least 50 cases have been identified where top brand names have bought favourable exposure on the advertising-free BBC through specialist agencies. Manufacturers are alleged to have paid fees up to £40,000 to specialist firms to get their products on BBC programmes.
A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC has very clear guidelines about product placement. Any breach would be thoroughly investigated because our editorial independence is absolutely integral to our reputation."
Reporters posing as businessmen won an agreement from the independent producers of a new BBC2 show, “The Hairy Bikers Cookbook”, to place a fictitious Mexican beer in return for free accommodation and travel for location shoots.
Now the programme may face an inquiry for breaching strict BBC rules.
(Note for KBers in NZ - the BBC is paid for by means of a TV licence fee. Part of it's charter states it cannot advertise products, although sometimes real products are shown as it would not make sense to hide them)
It is claimed that at least 50 cases have been identified where top brand names have bought favourable exposure on the advertising-free BBC through specialist agencies. Manufacturers are alleged to have paid fees up to £40,000 to specialist firms to get their products on BBC programmes.
A BBC spokesman said: "The BBC has very clear guidelines about product placement. Any breach would be thoroughly investigated because our editorial independence is absolutely integral to our reputation."